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benchen71's Metas on a Tuesday (MOAT)

Can you storm the castle by getting across the MOAT? Inspiration for metas comes from various places. Sometimes I think of a meta mechanic while trying to solve someone else's meta. At other times, a phrase suggests itself. This was one of the latter. It's also a fitting "week 5". Don't let that put you off, though, because I think this is a SAD puzzle (simple and difficult). Good luck, as you seek to solve this puzzle and come up with the answer to the meta which is a 10 letter phrase.

The easiest way to submit is on Crosshare (and you get instant feedback and unlimited attempts!) But you can also PM me with your submission. Either way, I'll compile a list of those who successfully solve the meta.

When You Get Right Down To It - Online Form
When You Get Right Down To It - PUZ
When You Get Right Down To It - PDF
When You Get Right Down To It - spreadsheet

Nudges are here.
The solution is here.

Castle (re-)stormed! Had originally solved in Ben’s pre-release bonus pack, so no, I didn’t really get this in 15m. Still clever the second time around, Ben!

DeMOATED. Thank you, Ben!

Moat has been crossed. Thanks Ben.

Crossed!

Super MOAT mechanics!

Crossed the moat!

Got right down to it, and into the castle. Fun puzzle and meta - thanks Ben!

Crossed! Stormed!

We're approaching the end of the first 24 hours and, yes, this looks like a suitable "week 5" puzzle. Here's the list so far:

rjy
Darth
boharr
MatthewL
whimsy
wendy walker
KayW
ChrisKochmanski
ChrisCross
Tom Wilson
Laura M
Gutman

That's 12 to get us started!

MOAT crossed!

A couple of ideas yesterday just did not work out. I glanced at the grid while working on something else and THERE IT WAS.

Couple of possible ins, but nothing yet! I hope I'll be happy when I finish this SAD puzzle!

Not too many solvers have come in since yesterday:

lbray53
Meg
Teamdoubletow
markhr

We're only up to 16 now. But don't worry: nudges will be along tomorrow morning Australia time!

Slightly early nudges!

Nudges, in order of increasing blatancy:

1. The main clue is the puzzle title. Think about ways of reading this like a meta constructor!

2. The vowel distribution of this puzzle is not equal.

3. There are only 4 "U"s in the puzzle.

4. 1A is also a hint (or should I say nudge!)

Moat was crossed… with the aid of nudges! Thanks, Ben!

Nudge #1 confirmed some thoughts, but Nudge #2 offers up something else - so we'll see what happens on that front!

Got it with the nudges after a few different interpretations of them. Probably only needed the first 3 in retrospect. Thanks.

Aha! But, to be fair, There is nothing tell-tale about the grid's vowel frequency, which is almost precisely average for crosswords.

MMe wrote: ↑Thu Feb 02, 2023 2:28 pm Aha! But, to be fair, There is nothing tell-tale about the grid's vowel frequency, which is almost precisely average for crosswords.

True, but I didn't say frequency, I said distribution.

Decided to try this since I had time. I have crossed the moat!

Thoughts on the nudges:

HUH???????????????